*Effective June 7, 2018, Doug ceased practicing law with the firm when he was elected to the Provincial Legislature of Ontario. He is MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte, and Attorney General of Ontario.

Doug was a founding partner of the firm, building an impressive real estate practice and being recognized as a Specialist in Real Estate Law by the Law Society of Ontario. Doug obtained his Hons. B.A. from Wilfrid Laurier University; a M.A. specializing in Judicial Administration from Brock University; a Law Degree from Dalhousie University at Halifax; and a Master of Laws in Municipal and Development Law through Osgoode Hall Law School.

Doug’s contributions to our firm and our local and legal community were immeasurable:

· Appointed by the provincial Minister of Government and Consumer Services to an expert Business Law Advisory Council (2016)

· Appointed by the Province of Ontario to the Expert Panel on the Regulation of Home Inspectors (2013)

· Elected Treasurer (2010-14) of the Ontario Bar Association and past Secretary (2009-10) of the OBA

· Received the Order of Orillia for significant lifetime community service

· Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for volunteer work in his community and the province (2012)

· Identified by Lexpert Magazine as “A lawyer to watch” amongst Leading Canada/US Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers (2010)

· First non-metropolitan lawyer in Canada to be named Canada’s Leading Lawyers Under 40 by Lexpert Magazine (2009)

· Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” by the Simcoe County Law Association (2008)

· Named “Business Leader of the Year” by the Orillia Business Association (2006)

· Appointed to Chair a panel to develop a vision for the Trent Severn Waterway, the largest federal asset in Ontario which has attracted more than $300 million in funding as a direct result of his report (2007)

· Appointed by the Province of Ontario to the Expert Business Law Statute Review Panel (2015)

· Past-President of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Orillia

· Host of ‘Politically Speaking, Orillia’ on Rogers TV, a current events show with 250 one-hour interviews of community leaders, federal, provincial, municipal and school board elected officials (2011-17)

· Ontario Bar Association Lead for the development of the innovative Law Practice Program (alternative to articling) in a strategic alliance with Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson)

· Member of the Library and Information Support Services committee (developing recommendations that led to reforms across Ontario) at the request of the Treasurer of the Law Society

· Former City Councilor with the City of Orillia (6 years)

· Past member on the Board of Directors of Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (3 years)

· Served on the Board of Directors for the Orillia Area Community Development Corporation

· Past Chair of the Community Opportunities Committee

· Past Chair of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orillia and District

· Past Treasurer on the Provincial Executive of the Ontario Bar Association

· Former Professor for Laurentian University at Georgian College

· Taught for the Real Estate Bar Admission Course

We can’t thank Doug enough for his invaluable contributions to our firm, and we wish him all the best for future success!